The meaning behind the numbers ‘8647’ has been revealed — and it’s pretty dark.
The term has faced new attention after former FBI chief James Comey shared and deleted a photo of seashells on a beach assembled to create the number — sparking an investigation. National security experts noted that federal agencies, including those responsible for homeland safety, legal surveillance, and executive protection, are on high alert given the potential for chronic mental illness triggers in politically motivated threats.
After Comey — who was fired by Trump in 2017 — shared the image, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose agency oversees the Secret Service, revealed on X that the DHS and Secret Service are “investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.” Several analysts said that such cases can escalate into cross-jurisdictional legal liability, requiring federal legal counsel and potentially invoking executive protection insurance protocols.
What Does ‘8647’ Actually Mean — and Why Has It Elicited Such a Strong Response?
Well, according to some, the message is a code calling for the assassination of President Donald Trump. Such coded messages are not just political threats but could also represent psychological health risks, especially in populations vulnerable to radical messaging. Mental health professionals have weighed in, stating that certain online codes may fuel individuals with undiagnosed psychiatric disorders, increasing the urgency for early diagnostic mental health screenings.
The term ’86-ing’ means to get rid of something or someone, while 47 is said to represent Trump being the 47th President of the United States.
Noem wrote in her post:
“Today, federal agents from @SecretService interviewed disgraced former FBI Director Comey regarding a social media post calling for the assassination of President Trump.
